Spider Veins

Spider veins, also known as telangiectasia, are visible networks of red and blue veins that often resemble a spider’s web or tree branches. The clusters are most commonly seen on the lower leg, but can appear nearly anywhere on the body, including the face. Spider veins may appear as early as the 20s, although they become more common in the middle years of life.

Causes of Spider Veins

Like varicose veins, spider veins may appear as a result of venous insufficiency in the lower legs. However, there are other possible causes of spider veins, including:

Hormone fluctuations

Sun exposure

Skin trauma or injury

Weight gain

Extended periods of sitting or standing

Spider Vein Prevention

Although there is no way to prevent spider veins entirely, there are things you can do to lower your risk of them ever developing. These include:

Elevating feet and legs when possible, especially at night

Exercising regularly to encourage healthy blood flow in the legs

Maintaining a healthy weight

Wearing compression stockings

Spider veins are typically no more than a cosmetic concern. However, if spider veins are accompanied by uncomfortable symptoms like restless legs, heaviness or achiness in the legs or swelling of the feet and legs, it may indicate a more serious underlying condition. In many cases small problems now can become much larger problems later in life. It is a good idea to have those veins evaluated by a vein specialist so that all of the involved veins can be treated as necessary.

Whether you would like to eliminate spider veins for cosmetic reasons or to address accompanying symptoms, there are a number of options in spider vein treatment today. To learn more about how to get rid of those vein networks, contact Dr. Lawrence and his staff at the PCI Vein Center.